Presidential Perspective

Mike Sonnek, Royal Golf Club

“She’s turnin’ on the heat Ooooh it’s a little too much She’s turnin’ on the heat And it’s a hundred above” -Loverboy, “Hot Girls in Love” 1983.

I’m quite certain the fellas from Loverboy were not referencing Mother Nature in this song but you get the point. It’s the time of year when we get a blast of heat from the gulf, and we all wished we worked in Grand Marais. Hopefully it’s not an extended blast, or a sign of things to come. Hopefully our courses, staff, and ourselves can handle the heat.

Great time last month at our outreach event at Austin Country Club hosted by Brandon Bergene. Great weather and great playing conditions. A big thank you to Brandon, his staff, and the team at Austin CC. We have several outreach events coming up this summer including a stop at a St. Paul Saints game! Get yourselves, your staff, and families out for some socializing with your peers. After two years of being bottled up, it’s refreshing to have some social interaction.

June is a great month as us dad’s get some appreciation for Father’s Day. My kids are grown, so I’ve run the gamut of Father’s Days activities. Typically, some ice cream is involved. Family time is great, but there is something to be said for a comfy couch to relax on and watch the US Open. Is that too selfish? I don’t think so. We don’t get an abundance of opportunities to kick our feet up and relax in the heart of the season.

In 2016 I started a new tradition for Father’s Day weekend. I signed up for Grandma’s half marathon in Duluth. My buddy Edd had run the marathon for years

and I finally committed to join him. My sister and niece had also participated the year before, so it turned into a family affair. Very cool to run along Lake Superior with the gorgeous views and in front of very supportive crowds. Great sense of accomplishment to push yourself that far.

The other event for the weekend is the Back to the 50’s car show at the state fairgrounds. My neighbor is a bit of a car nut and has attended for years. When he invited me out, he told me he sets up a canopy, chairs, along with a cooler of beer. Took me about a half a second to say I’m in. Another great way to spend a summer afternoon. Listening to engines revving and the smell of burning rubber.

Good luck to everyone playing in the Don White matches! I was fortunate enough to be in one of Dr. White’s last group of students. A wonderful, humble educator. He had a big influence on my philosophies, in turf management and life. Keep it simple and don’t over think it. A great tribute to have such a fun event named in his honor. I’ll be back next month after the 4th of July and dare I say, the days starting to get shorter.